LAUNCH OF NEW TYRE RECYCLING BODY

biodegradation, photochemical decomposition, chemical reagents and high temperatures.

This increasing numbers of used tyres has therefore caused a serious threat to the environment; however, there has been significant progress made in recent years in the management of polymer waste, which has meant that used tyres are starting to be perceived as a valuable raw material.

New tyre recycling body

The launch of the Tyre Recycling Industry Association of South Africa (TRIASA), the country’s first independent industry body, comes at a critical time for the local economy and the environment. This is according to Dr Mehran Zarrebini, one of the body’s founding members and CEO of a Hammarsdale-based truck tyre recycling operation, Mathe Group.

Zarrebini, who steered Mathe Group from a start-up in 2012 to one of the industry’s major success stories today, advocates for tyre recycling at forums across the world.

The road towards efficiently repurposing used tyres has been a rocky one for South Africa. The Recycling and Economic Development Initiative of South Africa (REDISA) was established in 2013 with the primary goal of creating an environmentally friendly waste tyre management solution. Unfortunately, it was suspended in 2017 following allegations of mismanagement, corruption and financial irregularities. Minimal recycling has continued since then.

However, Zarrebini is confident that, as a registered stakeholder in the lead-up to the imminent finalisation of the Section 29 Integrated Waste Tyre Plan, TRIASA can make an important contribution to this new strategy, not only helping to whittle away the evergrowing stockpile of waste tyres, but also to create entrepreneurial and manufacturing opportunities, as well as employment.

“Our aim is to unite the different elements of tyre recycling in South Africa and to provide a forum for discussion, knowledge exchange and collaboration on pressing issues within the industry. Our priority, as TRIASA, is to foster the growth of the tyre recycling industry, promoting a circular economy and reducing South Africa’s dependency on imported rubber,” he says.

Objectives

TRIASA’s primary objectives are threefold:

1 Encouraging green public procurement (GPP) and supporting the circular economy by promoting the use of recycled tyre material (RTM) in applications such as road resurfacing, construction and infrastructure projects.

2 Stimulating the use of recycled content in new products, so as to replace imported rubber.

3 Supporting research in tyre recycling. This would foster innovation in endmarket applications for RTMs to expand their potential use and create new opportunities within the industry.

TRIASA members are companies/entities who are involved in the processing of waste tyres and employ either of the primary recycling technologies currently in use – mechanical or ambient grinding of tyres and pyrolysis (decomposition at high temperatures) of tyres, as well as preprocessing, shredding and baling.

All members of TRIASA must prove that they are processing waste tyre material, be registered with the Waste Bureau, and have supply agreements in place.

“I believe very strongly that industry should foster and nurture a strong relationship with government with respect to the implementation and management of the tyre waste management plan of South Africa. We believe that the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment as well as TRIASA share common goals in safeguarding our environment and ensuring compliance of the waste tyre industry in South Africa,” notes Zarrebini.

A global problem

He emphasises that the disposal of waste tyres is an international challenge. In 2021, global tyre production was estimated to be

1 900 000 000 units. This included tyres for on- and off-road vehicles and equipment.

“The rule of thumb to estimate potential tyre arisings is one for one. For each tyre placed on the market – as original or replacement equipment – one tyre will reach the end of its road life. From then, they will be defined as waste,” he explains.

The global tyre waste pile also includes rejects.

The South African perspective

Waste tyre statistics in South Africa are difficult to come by, posing a challenge for those devising a waste tyre plan. Although some role players provide accurate data, others have almost no record keeping systems. Zarrebini points out that this emphasises the need for a national audit on waste tyres in South Africa.

An estimate, based on confirmed data by the Waste Bureau, suggests that an average of 13 million tyres weighing 300 000 t are sold in South Africa each year through a network of between 1 400 to 2 000 dealerships.

Passenger vehicle tyres (including SUV/4x4 and light truck radial tyres) contribute an estimated 89% and commercial vehicle (truck) tyres 11% to the total. Applying an 18-20% reduction in weight between new and waste tyres results in an estimated 240 000 t to 250 000 t of end-of-life tyres per year in South Africa. The majority are returned to dealerships and fitment centres when new tyres are fitted.

An estimated off-the-road waste tyre stream of 20 000 t per annum was added to derive a total estimated annual flow of waste tyres in South Africa ranging between 250 000 t and 300 000 t. Updated industry data suggest that 206 272 t of waste tyres were generated in 2021.

The last government statistics available indicate that, in 2018/19, just an estimated 54 460 t of waste tyres were reprocessed. However, Zarrebini asserts that with the launch of the Waste Tyre Plan and with TRIASA’s help, South Africa can tackle its waste tyre problem effectively.

“With our innovative methods and bespoke designed machinery, we are able to recycle 99% of the component materials in all our tyres.

“We are committed to creating a low environmental impact in our processing while ensuring that our clients are offered a high-quality, consistent product with enhanced value,” he concludes.